Catholic and Paganism

For the Catholic Church to grow it required an assault on multiple congregations simultaneously, as in Revelation and the 7 churches of Asia, multiple Churches were being assaulted by Satan.

The Galatian Churches are excellent proof of a rapid decline in faithfulness.

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

The question is, "what was this other Gospel"?

Galatians chapter 4:8 reveals it is a Gospel rooted in Paganism, not simply Judaism, as many have supposed. Galatians addresses circumcision and the Law, but also addresses their Pagan roots.

Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

The present evil world was a world based in a false form of Judaism, paganism, and idolatry.

Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

The heathen were not part of Abraham's physical family and therefore not subject to circumcision, which was for Abraham, his children, and household born in his house.

Genesis reminds us God's promise is broader than Abraham's physical household, but includes all nations.

In thee all nations of the earth shall be blessed. Thus, the promise was for those saved in the faith of Christ.

The danger of saving all nations was each nation had a previous system that they held to, Jews to Judaism, pagans to idolatry, Paul's preaching showed that the pagan nations were to come out of idolatry, and were prone to mixing paganism with the Christian covenant. God forsees the heathen being blessed when faithful to Christ vs Judaism or paganism.

Gal 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

The point here isn't faith only, but faithfulness. Abraham was faithful without mixing in Paganism. We are blessed when faithful to the covenant of Christ.

Compromising to receive relief from persecution seemed like a good option, it allowd them to make their religion something they were accustomed to while keeping the name of Christ, but it was leaving Christ for that which was worldly.

Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Faithfulness in persecution was a requirement beyond simple faith.

The Galatian churches were being assaulted by the circumcision, but also by paganism. The proof and power from the resurrection should have solidified their faith, but not all were fully convinced. They were falling back into their previous experiences.

Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

They were turning to do service to Judaism, but also the days and holidays of paganism. They were being attacked from both perspectives. It was a problem for many of the Gentile churches.

1Th 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

All the heathen churches were prone to returning to the holidays and practices of paganism.